How to use a phone armband efficiently

I just thought about ways on how a phone armband can be of great use. Anybody can literally use this, but most especially the following people:
1) Runner - Hey, who wants to run alone on boring roads or places you know nothing about? This has a slot for your earphone cable so you can listen to your favorite songs while jogging. Just make sure not to put in on too loud so you'll be able to here the sounds of beeping cars. You don't want to run into accidents.
2) Gym rats - Like with the runners purpose, you can use this to listen to music to keep you upbeat, or probably talk to your pals while your busy burning fats. Just make sure you focus on your gym equipments first before using your touchscreen because you don't want to fall on your treadmill!
3) Homemakers - Yes. This could  be useful especially when your hands are full and/but you need your phone near you, always. You don't want to miss important calls. And you don't want to misplace your phone after doing a lot of household chores. With this, you can get hold of your phone in an instant. This is also great because I use this while carrying my little one, wiping the table, while talking to my husband over the phone. You can do a lot with your phone within your reach.

How about you, in what ways do you think you can use an armband?

DISCLOSURE

I received a sample of the product mentioned above in exchange for my unbiased opinion.

Painting Lulu App and Stylus Review

With today's technology, almost every thing is trying to cope with it's advancement. It can even be applied with our kids toys and learning materials. Some parents succumb to the idea while others do not. I, as mother, think it really depends on how useful and how often the product is being used. Like this new kind of coloring material, more specifically an app and stylus - Painting Lulu. I find it actually more useful than not because you can use/color it in two ways, usual (or can I say traditional) and with the use of technology, in my case - iPad (it can also be used with phones). I love the idea of how they are still able to preserve the idea of coloring with real crayons while incorporating or introducing new ways of doing it using gadgets.

Before I start my actual review, I wanted to quote some thing from their website:

"Our missionWe help parents develop kids creativity by playing both in real-life and online using our eco-friendly and technology driven activity books. 

What we believe inWe believe that when we finish to use a product, we should do our best to ensure that its raw materials be reused and recycled for the future of our children and our earth. So, get some crayons and start coloring with Painting Lulu! Your kids can start coloring with our online coloring pages or print them for free. Theses coloring pages are fun and easy way to help kids develop motor skills,understand color concepts, improve eye-hand coordination and enhance picture comprehension."

The Painting Lulu kit comes with a coloring book, a stylus and a free downloadable app. The stylus is shaped like a crayon which retains the idea of (traditional) coloring and a tangible coloring book, which your child can actually color using the materials she already have at home. 

Now to focus on the app, here's the easy to follow instructions:

1. Download the free "Painting Lulu" app through the App Store/Google play/Amazon Appstore.

2. Select a page from your "Meet Lulu" coloring book that you have colored, then scan is using the scan feature on your Painting Lulu app.

3. A digital version of the same colored page you scanned will instantly appear, ready to be edited and modified by you. In my case, my daughter didn't want to color the physical book itself because she was too excited to try the app. So ours appeared as it is, untouched. It was like magic when the page showed up in the screen. My daughter was very enthusiastic in coloring it using the crayon stylus that came with the coloring kit.

That's it! Right after scanning, you can easily browse all the pages in the book, which includes 31 fun coloring pages. While on the coloring page, you'll see three buttons - Parents icon, Facebook icon and Printer icon. The parents icon lets you share the image created by your child to be shared with your friends and family via email. The Facebook icon on the other hand, lets you share it with your Facebook friends. And last, the Printer icon which allows you to automatically print the coloring page if you have one installed and connected to your device. 

You can choose from tools like crayon, brush and paint.

Now, let's discuss the other buttons. On the main page, you'll see four buttons - Settings, Music, Camera, Scanner, respectively.
1) Settings
General - You can choose to allow sharing pictures and whether or not you'd want to show the print button in your screen.
Sharing - You can choose to share your child's creation to specific email addresses or via Facebook. I find this really useful because I love showing the whole world how my daughter is very good at coloring (at least for her age).

2. Music - You can choose to toggle music, it's a soothing background music and my daughter actually loves to hear it while she's coloring! It's so funny when I try to turn the music off she always turns it back on. I guess it puts her in the mood.
3. Camera - What I love about this feature is you can literally take a picture of anything, just like the built-in-camera in your gadgets. It allows you to color and decorate it. After taking a picture of this cup, I took a picture of my daughter then we put some tiara, necklace and bracelet on her, including some text which she ask me to write. LOL!

4) Scanner - As discussed above, this scanner allows you to 'convert' the pages in the book to the "Painting Lulu" app. Which as I said awhile ago, works like magic. 

In general, my daughter loved this product. Although there were times it takes too long for it to load the pages, which might be because our iPad's memory is full. LOL. Anyway, I know they have two more books namely "Camping Out" and "At the Beach". I bet it'll be as much fun as this first series which is "Meet Lulu".

If you want to know more about Painting Lulu, you can check out their website, Facebook page, Google Plus or Twitter account. I think this'll be a nice gift for birthdays and also a great present this coming holiday. 

DISCLOSURE

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

How To Keep Those Bugs Away!

Are you the kind of mom who hate bugs? Well, not "hate and kill them" but hate and doesn't want them inside your home kind of thing. Because I am definitely am! 

I used to be really scared of them, especially as a kid. I think being a grown-up and having your own home in the suburbs leaves you no choice but to deal with them almost everyday! I thought, this has to stop! I don't want my daughter to get bitten by them every now and then. I just got to prevent them from coming in (especially when we have visitors in our house who keeps going in and out of our house without closing the door). 

It says in the instructions that it's best to set it up with a friend. I guess I didn't need help because I was able to do it by myself without any hassle, at all!!! I even put mine in less than 10 minutes! I think I am very keen when it comes to setting up things. Don't worry if you are not as keen, you can check out their site or watch the professionals install the screen door so you can do it right, the first time.

Okay, now I am done with the setup and look at those bugs residing right outside our back door. I thought we only had spiders, but I guess we also have beetles, fireflies and other smaller insects. Eeeew! I try to clean them every time especially during summer, but they ALWAYS come back after a day or two! Sometimes I'd get tired and just let them stay there for awhile. Now I guess I wouldn't have to worry much about them anymore!

Here's the another thing on how they manage to keep those bugs out. The magnets! There's like two in every feet (or less) to keep it intact. It somewhat functions like an automatic closing door. Just go in and out as you please, hands-free! I think this will help a lot if your hands are full, like when you have to take a hot dish outside or whatever.

If you'll notice, we don't have a storm door but even if we do, I firmly believe this would help a lot in alleviating those pesky bugs. ;) I don't even think I'd need to install a storm door any time soon because this already solved my issue!

Also, even with the heavy mesh (which keeps even the small bugs away), it's nice that I am able to still see the beautiful outdoors and so that I'd be able to easily check on the kids when they are playing outside. And since it uses velcro, I can remove it anytime and just put it back when I need it.

The #1 Best Screen screen door is sold by iGotTech via Amazon.com, check it out and you'll see they offer a lot more useful products.

DISCLOSURE

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

The Perfect Party Trays for Gatherings

Have you ever been invited to a party and didn't know what to bring? Or do you always have surprise guests who suddenly appear on your doorsteps? Well, I'd say the new Hormel Gathering Party Tray is the perfect answer to that! There's no need for you to prepare, the ingredients are already there, ready to be served! You don't even need to prepare a serving plate! :)

As you'll see in the pictures above, each ingredient is individually packed and sealed to maintain freshness. If you bought one and won't be using it the same day, place it in the fridge because the cheese might melt. You also need not worry about the crackers being stored in a cool place because it's crunchiness won't be affected. Now let's talk about the ingredients of the party platter:

• Honey Ham - The round bite-sized shape makes it easier to swallow. It is tender and sweet. My favorite to top my appetizer!
• Turkey - Like the honey ham, it has the same shape and size, probably three times the size of a quarter. Anyway, it is soft and it looks really fresh. 
• Cheese - You have two options but both are equally delicious - Sargento Colby Jack and Sargento Mild Cheddar. I loved both because they are smooth and tasty.
• Crackers - Crunchy and I'd say sweet rather than salty. To my fellow Filipinos, if you are looking for crackers similar to Fita, you bet this cracker taste similar to it . It's hard to find it here in the US, now, I know where I can find it! 

I deeply apologize for not having taken closer (and opened) photos of each, I brought this at a party and there were too many people already taking bits and pieces and I didn't want to bother them by taking photos of the food. Well, I'd say I definitely have at least three friends who liked it sooo much, besides my husband and daughter who can't stop eating them! 

Just for you to know. :)

If you prefer other meats to go with the crackers, they also have other Hormel Gatherings Party Trays - Hard Salami & Pepperoni Party Tray AND Supreme Party Tray. I can't wait to bring and try the other for upcoming events!

DISCLOSURE

I was not paid to do a review of the product/s mentioned above. As a member of the Hormel Foods Extended Family Blogger, Mom's Tried and Tested was given a sample to try but was not required to do an online review of the product/s or service/s they provide. This post was based on my 100% honest opinion.

My Family's New Natural (Non-GMO) Spread!

With all the issues arising from spreads (butter/margarine) containing GMO's, I have been really careful in choosing what I feed my family. I thought it'll be hard to find a brand I'll trust, but not really. Just a few weeks ago, I was introduced to Earth Balance, which is a totally new brand for me. From the first time my husband tasted their Buttery Spread - Original flavor, he liked it already. He said it is indeed surprising to know that a plant-based product could not taste like a plant. LOL!

My husband's new favorite spread.

But seriously, this rich creamy buttery plant-based spread has a lot more advantage compared to others because of the following facts:

• 78% Natural Oils - Free of hydrogenated oils, zero grams of trans fat
• Vegan
• Non-GMO
• Gluten-Free
• Expeller-Pressed Oil
• Lactose-Free
• Excellent source of ALA Omega-3

Just last week, I spotted the same product, only a different flavor at a friend's place! I'd say most of the products they buy are natural, GMO-free and/or organic. And I really am starting to do the same, because I noticed they don't really taste as bad as it sound. Healthy doesn't really mean tasteless (as I thought it was) and Earth Balance has proven it.

Spotted at a friend's fridge!

Anyway, there are also other ways to enjoy Earth Balance Buttery Spreads, like in frying, sauteeing and baking. Here's a complete list of the flavors they offer and if you click the photo, you'll find the other Earth Balance products you can enjoy!

DISCLAIMER

I got a chance to share the product/s mentioned above by being a Mom's Meet mom ambassador. I was not required to post a review of it/them. This review was based on my own opinion.

My First French Macarons - Success!

I was inspired to bake the famous French Macaron when my friend told me how hard it was to make them. This was my first challenge of the year so I read about some tips on how to make them from different sites. I also watched two Youtube videos demonstrating the steps and I combined what I learned plus I found out my own tips to share with you guys. But, first of all, I wanted to share the recipe I found from howtocookthat.net. To tell you, I only choose recipes with 5-star rating and this one is definitely worth-keeping! Click here to view the complete recipe.

I honestly had a hard time looking for the ingredients because I thought I'd easily find them in store. When I searched for the words "caster" and "pure icing" only did I realize I already have them at home. LOL. You only need four major ingredients to make a macaron:

1) Caster Sugar - I also read they use the term "castor". I was surprised to learn that this is the sugar I have at home - granulated cane sugar. Only this should be extra fine, almost powdery. I do not have the time to buy so I just used our blender to grate/blend/chop it. Though I saw some stores actually offer "Extra Fine Granulate Cane Sugar". Anyway, I just pressed whatever button just to cut it in smaller/finer pieces.

2) Icing Sugar - So this one is also known as powdered or confectioner's sugar! Funny I even asked the store employee if they have such and she said she doesn't have any idea.
3) Almond Meal or Flour - Almost hard to find! They don't have one at Target, Walmart and Safeway. Good thing I went to Weis and found only one brand (Bob's Red Mill Finely Ground Almond Meal/Flour) and it's gluten-free. It's the most expensive flour I've seen! I think I bought a pound for $17.99 and that's excluding tax. Now I know why macarons are expensive as they say. Friends say it costs $3 in the US and Php 60 in the Philippines.
4) Eggs - Needed at room temperature, the older the better.
5) Salt
* Gel Food Coloring - You can use any color you like! Isn't that wonderful? But you better be careful because if you need deeper shades, it might affect the batter's consistency.

Use non-stick flat parchment paper.

 

Let it sit for at least an hour.

The first batch I baked was good for a first-timer.

I still have to work on a few breaks in my foot.

The browning is normal because if not, it's going to stick in the paper. Watch them carefully even before it's done because every minute is crucial to these sensitive cookies!

The next batch, I almost burnt them, isn't that weird? It's because I used the same pans I put in the oven the first time. It didn't have time to totally cool off. So do not do that.

For more tips, head over to joyofbaking.com and howtocookthat.net

French macarons they say are the hardest cookies to bake. For me, they're just sensitive and it's lengthly especially if you don't have a good stand-alone mixer. Imagine I only used a hand-mixer, I already finished an episode of Charmed and I am still not done mixing! These times I wish I had a Kitchen-Aid mixer or at least borrowed one.

Anyway, until my next try of these cookies! I'd like to make red and black. :)

DISCLAIMER

I was not compensated in any way to do a review of the product/s or service/s mentioned above. Everything was based on my 100% honest opinion.